Some Social(TV) Conversations

Back in October I went down to Atlanta for the "Social TV Event" held by @UserInsight a pretty cool research group that does user testing for Apps and websites among others.  Over the past year they have been doing a $500,000 research project into how social media affects consumer TV consumption.  

For this event they presented a lot of their data about the demographics of TV and SocialTV.  They dug into their data about which viewers are more likely to watch TV live, or time-shifted. They split up their demographics into personality types for people who chat on Twitter to friends, random strangers, or no one at all in particular.  For the "Social TV Event" they had guest speakers from several older and new companies in the SocialTV space including yours truly.

Some of the cool tech companies included at the event:

  • Yahoo's IntoNow product that listens to the audio "fingerprint" of a TV show to find the moment in a show someone is watching.  
  • SnappyTV which lets viewers take "clips" of the last several seconds of a show to share out to their social network.
  • Watchitoo: Which tries to make live online viewing of events and meetings more interactive.
  • Clearleap: Which enables video applications for multi-channel video programming distributors. 
  • And of course TweePLayer.  

We all got to show off some of our the cool things our products do, but what was even more interesting were the panel discussions about how we all are addressing the SocialTV marketplace from vastly different angles.

You can see one of the panels below with the TweePLayer curated social conversation right there ready for you to add your own comments, or you can go to our Social TV Event page for any of the panels.

 

 

 

 

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from TweePLayer Blog http://blog.tweeplayer.com/some-socialtv-conversations

"Retina" MacBook Pros shipping next year? It's possible

Apple could be ready to launch a MacBook Pro with a "Retina"-class display beginning sometime next year. A new display of unspecified size reportedly being built for Apple will have a 2880x1800 pixel resolution, according to sources speaking to DigiTimes. Although the source may seem sketchy, the claims are plausible, and such a display would be a perfect fit for Lion's little-known, resolution-doubled "HiDPI" display technology.

A 2880x1800 pixel display would have a density of about 220 pixels per inch at a 15.4" size, which is double the density of the current default 1440x900 display. Such a pixel density coincides nicely with Lion's hidden HiDPI display options, which double the number of pixels used for user interface elements. The technique is essentially identical to that used in iOS to create "Retina" graphics for the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and fourth-generation iPod touch. Such pixel doubling is also believed to be behind an upcoming iPad hardware revision with an expected 2048x1536 pixel 9.7" display, with a roughly 266ppi pixel density.

While 220ppi doesn't quite approach the 326ppi of the current iPhone "Retina" display, it would make the visible appearance of pixels difficult to distinguish at typical laptop viewing distances. A generally accepted standard of the resolving power of the human eye is that a person with 20/20 vision can just barely discern two distinct elements that are one arc minute (or 1/60 of a degree) apart. For a display with 220ppi, the individual pixels would disappear at about 15.6"; sitting up at a desk and typing, my face is about 16" away from the display of my MacBook Air.

The sources allegedly come from "upstream component suppliers" who suggest that Apple could release new MacBook Pro models as early as the second quarter of next year. And while DigiTimes does not have a good record for accuracy, this timeline does make it somewhat plausible. Apple is expected to have similar resolution displays ready for the iPad 3 in early spring, and the same technology would likely be used to make such a high-resolution display suitable for the MacBook Pro. Furthermore, Intel should be shipping its next-generation Ivy Bridge processors around the second quarter of next year. Apple will undoubtedly refresh its MacBook Pros to use the new processors, and its upgraded graphics are capable of driving such a high resolution display.

Apple's display resolutions for laptops have been slowly creeping upward, especially since the launch of revised MacBook Air models on October 2010. The 11" model has a pixel density of 135ppi, while the 13" model is 128dpi. A high resolution display option for the 15" MacBook Pro also checks in at 128ppi, while the 17" MacBook Pro measures 132ppi.

Read the comments on this post

from Ars Technica http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/12/apple-may-be-ready-to-ship-retina-m...

Apple to Launch 2880x1800 Resolution 'Retina Display' MacBook Pro in Q2 2012?

In a report sure to excite our readers, DigiTimes is saying that Apple may be readying an ultra high-resolution MacBook Pro for as early as second quarter (Q2) 2012:
Apple is likely to launch its new MacBook Pro lineup with a display resolution of 2880 by 1800 in the second quarter of 2012, setting a new round of competition for panel specifications in the notebook industry, according to sources in the upstream supply chain.
The publication cites supply chain partners as the source for the information which would double the resolution of the MacBook Pro to 2880x1800 pixels.

This new high resolution MacBook Pro would presumably be a 15" model which currently carries a native resolution of 1440x900 pixels. By doubling the resolution in each dimension, Apple would achieve four times the number of pixels and provide developers an easy way to scale existing artwork.


TextEdit running in HiDPI mode, via Arstechnica

We've known about Apple's work to support these ultra high resolution screens, but we didn't necessarily expect them to arrive so soon. That said, support seems to be building for exactly such a thing.

Intel's upcoming Ivy Bridge processors are known to support resolutions as high as 4096x4096. Meanwhile, Apple has already added new "HiDPI" modes in Lion that support this resolution-doubling mode. Apple has even added ultra-high resolution artwork in Lion with desktop images at 3200x2000 pixels and icons at 1024x1024 pixels.

And Apple's not the only company preparing for the possibility. Microsoft is also building in support for high dpi monitors in Windows 8.

A Q2 2012 launch would place it near what has been expected to be the arrival of a 15" MacBook Air. Based on the expected timing of that product (Q1 2012), it seems this MacBook Pro may be a different product altogether.


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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - Front Page http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/14/apple-to-launch-2880x1800-resolution-reti...

Hangman Television Mount

Hangman is a clever, simple bracket designed to hang flat screen TVs directly on a wall. As the go-to handyman for most of my friends and families, I have hung my fair share of flatscreen TVs and am always frustrated by the expensive, cumbersome, goofy brackets that are sold to the average Joe when he buys his TV at Best Buy or Costco.

The Hangman, unlike the alternatives, is a dead simple mount composed of two interlocking aluminum strips. Place the first strip, which includes an integral level, on the wall. Screw it into the studs or attach with heavy duty drywall anchors (both included, and these anchors are actually really cool; probably worthy of a cool tool in themselves. I work in the remodeling industry and we use these anchors all the time.). Bolt the other aluminum strip to the back of the TV using included bolts, hang the TV strip on the wall strip, attach the safety tether to prevent the TV from sliding off, attach the pegs to the lower bolt holes on the TV, and you are done. The TV can be tilted forward to allow access to cables. I installed mine with a Leviton REB behind it to hold all of the outlets and jacks completely concealed, but you could just as easily use cable ties or wire molding to drop the wires down to your components.
S-2040-fslash-2060-3.jpeg
I like this system because it is simple and inexpensive. It hangs the TV dead level and it won't "drift" out of level when you mess with your cables. It also keeps the TV tight to the wall as the aluminum brackets are only about 1" thick. Finally, it only takes about 10-minutes to install. The downside to this style of bracket is that it only mounts the TV flat to the wall, so you lose the option to tilt it in any direction. This wasn't a problem in my house since the couch faces a flat wall.

They are available on Amazon, which I know Cool Tools prefers, but I bought mine right off the manufacturer's website. It was at my house within a couple of days. They come in medium (32" to 60") and large (47" to 65") and are set up to fit VESA mounts (Medium is 400mm, large is 400 & 600mm) which I think are the standard for all flat screens these days. They cost about 30-40 bucks depending on where you buy them. It's a lot more than it costs the Hangman folks to make, but it is still cheaper and much less frustrating than any other mount I have seen on the market.

-- Brian Durkin

Hangman Flat Screen TV Mount
400 & 600 VESA (other sizes available from manufacturer)
$30

Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Hangman

from Cool Tools http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/005973.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_med...

Microsoft on the hunt for original programming head, eyes ex-NBC execs

It's not MSNBC, it's MSex-NBC. Or it very well could be, as Bloomberg reports a second marriage of sorts is purportedly on deck for Microsoft and two former Peacock execs, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin. Redmond's already made public plans to expand its Xbox Live streaming platform beyond VOD and into live TV, having announced a trio of content partners at this year's E3, so news of an in-house original programming push comes as no surprise. While it remains to be seen just what types of series, scripted or otherwise, are in the works, the company appears willing to press pause on the entire initiative should a suitable candidate fail to materialize. That's all the rumor mill's wrought for now, folks, but we'll keep you posted on this as it develops. And no, a certain Ms. Maddow likely won't be coming soon to an Xbox 360 near you.

Microsoft on the hunt for original programming head, eyes ex-NBC execs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/microsoft-on-the-hunt-for-original-program...

Microsoft on the hunt for original programming head, eyes ex-NBC execs

It's not MSNBC, it's MSex-NBC. Or it very well could be, as Bloomberg reports a second marriage of sorts is purportedly on deck for Microsoft and two former Peacock execs, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin. Redmond's already made public plans to expand its Xbox Live streaming platform beyond VOD and into live TV, having announced a trio of content partners at this year's E3, so news of an in-house original programming push comes as no surprise. While it remains to be seen just what types of series, scripted or otherwise, are in the works, the company appears willing to press pause on the entire initiative should a suitable candidate fail to materialize. That's all the rumor mill's wrought for now, folks, but we'll keep you posted on this as it develops. And no, a certain Ms. Maddow likely won't be coming soon to an Xbox 360 near you.

Microsoft on the hunt for original programming head, eyes ex-NBC execs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/microsoft-on-the-hunt-for-original-program...

Microsoft on the hunt for original programming head, eyes ex-NBC execs

It's not MSNBC, it's MSex-NBC. Or it very well could be, as Bloomberg reports a second marriage of sorts is purportedly on deck for Microsoft and two former Peacock execs, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin. Redmond's already made public plans to expand its Xbox Live streaming platform beyond VOD and into live TV, having announced a trio of content partners at this year's E3, so news of an in-house original programming push comes as no surprise. While it remains to be seen just what types of series, scripted or otherwise, are in the works, the company appears willing to press pause on the entire initiative should a suitable candidate fail to materialize. That's all the rumor mill's wrought for now, folks, but we'll keep you posted on this as it develops. And no, a certain Ms. Maddow likely won't be coming soon to an Xbox 360 near you.

Microsoft on the hunt for original programming head, eyes ex-NBC execs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/microsoft-on-the-hunt-for-original-program...

Microsoft on the hunt for original programming head, eyes ex-NBC execs

It's not MSNBC, it's MSex-NBC. Or it very well could be, as Bloomberg reports a second marriage of sorts is purportedly on deck for Microsoft and two former Peacock execs, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin. Redmond's already made public plans to expand its Xbox Live streaming platform beyond VOD and into live TV, having announced a trio of content partners at this year's E3, so news of an in-house original programming push comes as no surprise. While it remains to be seen just what types of series, scripted or otherwise, are in the works, the company appears willing to press pause on the entire initiative should a suitable candidate fail to materialize. That's all the rumor mill's wrought for now, folks, but we'll keep you posted on this as it develops. And no, a certain Ms. Maddow likely won't be coming soon to an Xbox 360 near you.

Microsoft on the hunt for original programming head, eyes ex-NBC execs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/microsoft-on-the-hunt-for-original-program...

YouTube launches education-only site, won't teach evolution of dance (video)

The bandages are barely off after a recent nip-tuck and the internet's biggest time sink is going under the knife again with its new YouTube EDU initiative. Imagine your favorite video site with all the fun stuff stripped off -- it's essentially that. Gone are comments and related videos, and all the non brain-enhancing stuff, leaving just what's good for the grey matter. Why? Well, in the VHS era teachers had control, but now it's a minefield. With its wealth of knowledge, YouTube is an obvious choice for educators, but with so many ways to get RickRolled, or catch-up on the latest keyboard cat, pupils' attention can be lost in seconds. The project has content provided by over 600 educational outlets such as TED and the Smithsonian, with subjects broken down into more than 300 teacher-friendly playlists. We're not sure if "national constitutions"is going to be one of them, but hit the promo video after the break to find out more.

Continue reading YouTube launches education-only site, won't teach evolution of dance (video)

YouTube launches education-only site, won't teach evolution of dance (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ZDNet  |  sourceYouTube  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/youtube-launches-education-only-site-wont-...

The Anatomy of a Perfect Website [Infographic]

Designing a website combines the best parts of art and science. Sure, you need to have some incredibly artistic and elegant designs but without a simple framework, the site will suffer some serious flaws. Following a blueprint will ensure great flow and usability. It will allow users to understand where they are while navigating and give them an easy way to get to the next page.

While no website is the same, this infographic from ROI Media lays out some awesome tips and tricks for designing the perfect website. Also, did you know that there are over 525,998,433 websites out there on the vast internet? How many of those do you bet are absolute garbage and lack some of the basic optimization techniques?

from BostInno http://bostinno.com/2011/12/11/the-anatomy-of-a-perfect-website-infographic/